National outdoor economy groups to meet in Cherokee
 

National outdoor economy groups to meet in Cherokee

 The fifth annual Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee will serve as the backdrop to a convening of the Confluence of…
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Spend an evening in the garden
 

Spend an evening in the garden

ArborEvenings is back at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville, offering opportunity to spend Thursday and Friday evenings strolling through the…
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Austin Gray is the first Black American to receive a doctorate in environmental health sciences. Donated photo
 

Microplastics researcher to speak in Highlands

Learn about plastic pollution and the threat it poses to freshwater and marine ecosystems during a free lecture at 6…
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Forest loss could harm water quality, study finds
 

Forest loss could harm water quality, study finds

A new study from researchers focusing on the forest-water connection in the Southern U.S. found that, over the coming decades,…
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The whorled loosestrife grows in full sun and partial shade under deciduous trees. Adam Bigelow photo
 

Notes from a plant nerd: World, lose strife

For the past few years, whenever I encounter the whorled loosestrife growing along a trail or roadside I have been…
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Jason Kloepfer and Alison Mahler have not felt safe enough to return home to Kloepfer’s property 20 minutes outside of Murphy since the police shooting Dec. 13, 2022. Holly Kays photo
 

Police shooting victim alleges attempted murder, seeks millions in damages

In an explosive federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina, the victim of a…
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Lynda Bennett
 

Former congressional candidate sentenced for campaign finance violation

Former congressional candidate Lynda Bennett has been sentenced to 12 months of probation after pleading guilty in March to violating…
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Contentious vote coming on Waynesville social district
 

Contentious vote coming on Waynesville social district

Open container alcohol consumption in cities and towns across North Carolina has met with positive results, according to local administrators…
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U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina
 

Crowe to plead guilty to federal charges; tribal court process expected to continue

With more than six months gone since tribal charges were brought against former Wolfetown Rep. Bo Crowe following an alleged…
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WCU projects larger freshman class for 2023
 

WCU projects larger freshman class for 2023

A After years of enrollment and retention numbers impacted by the pandemic and its associated restrictions, Western Carolina University expects…
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The old bingo hall, currently under renovation, serves as the headquarters for Qualla Enterprises LLC. Holly Kays photo
 

Sneed calls for forensic audit on cannabis LLC; Qualla Enterprises defends its record

Principal Chief Richard Sneed renewed his concerns about the tribe’s medical cannabis company Qualla Enterprises LLC before Tribal Council this…
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Heather Younce. Photo from EBCI livestream
 

Younce to replace Taylor on tribal alcohol board

The Cherokee Tribal Council voted unanimously June 1 to confirm Heather Younce as the newest member of the Tribal Alcoholic…
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Waynesville Police Det. Paige Shell was awarded by the Red Cross at a recent event in Asheville for her lifesaving actions.
 

Waynesville detective honored by Red Cross for saving man’s life

Waynesville Police Department Det. Paige Shell received an award for saving a man’s life at this year’s Salute to Western…
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Shift workers leave Pactiv Evergreen's Canton paper mill for the final time.
 

Millworkers pay emotional farewell in Canton

It was a day few thought would ever come to pass. Even after Pactiv Evergreen announced it would close its…
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Swain County finalizes budget
 

Swain County finalizes budget

 Swain County passed its fiscal year 2023-24 budget with no tax increase, but it’s likely there will be a tax…
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Center for Domestic Peace, Mountain Projects open offices
 

Center for Domestic Peace, Mountain Projects open offices

Two organizations committed to helping individuals and families in the community officially opened new offices in Sylva on Thursday, June…
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From left. Top row: Josh Haigler, Kevin Hessler, Bernard Hinker. Bottom row: Kim Holt, Eeva Haigler, Josiah Bjerkness and Nolan Griggs.
 

Motion Makers donates $500 to children’s program

Swain County Exceptional Children’s Teacher Kim Holt was thrilled to learn Motion Makers Bicycle Shop donated $500 to her program…
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Storyteller Willa Brigham will perform at the Juneteenth event.
 

Juneteenth: a community affair

For the third year in a row, First United Methodist Church in Waynesville is teaming up with community partners to…
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Law-and-order Republicans are silent
 

Law-and-order Republicans are silent

To the Editor: It is truly disheartening to see the response of elected Republicans to the indictment of Donald Trump.
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Take the bait, or get more sleep?
 

Take the bait, or get more sleep?

I can hear my son rolling around upstairs.
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Trout fins pepper the surface of the water at Sunburst Trout Farms below Lake Logan. Holly Kays photo
 

Fish On The Farm: Tour Highlights Importance, Challenges Of Mountain Aquaculture

Whenever Wes Eason runs across a potential customer who’s hesitant about eating farm-raised fish, he points to the picture on…
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A hunter looks down at the results of a successful hunt. NCWRC photo
 

N.C. logs record 2022 bear harvest

A record number of black bears were killed during the 2022 bear hunting season, according to records from the N.C.…
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Hydrangeas bloom in the campus greenhouse at Haywood Community College. HCC photo
 

Arboretum donates truckloads of flowers

Following its Bloom with a View event, the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville donated flowers and plants to various organizations in…
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A northern parula is one of many bird species found at the Highlands Biological Station. Lauren Whitenack photo
 

Help band birds

Help scientists band birds this summer with the “A Bird’s Eye View” program at Highlands Biological Station June 22, July…
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Apple growers to vote on assessment
 

Apple growers to vote on assessment

North Carolina apple growers will vote Tuesday, June 27, in a referendum conducted by the N.C. Apple Growers Association regarding…
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Campground closed in Cherokee National Forest
 

Campground closed in Cherokee National Forest

Horse Creek Campground in the Cherokee National Forest near Greeneville, Tennessee, is closed until further notice due to increasing bear…
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Smokies podcast miniseries wins national award
 

Smokies podcast miniseries wins national award

A podcast of the Great Smoky Mountains Association, the miniseries “Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music” won the award for…
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Burt Kornegay (left) hands off the donation to Friends of Panthertown Executive Director Jason Kimenker.
 

Panthertown guidebook publisher donates to stewardship nonprofit

Panthertown Map Association, non-profit publishers of Burt Kornegay's “A Guide's Guide to Panthertown,” has made a $7,500 donation to Friends of…
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Changes proposed for stormwater infrastructure grants
 

Changes proposed for stormwater infrastructure grants

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is proposing changes to its priority rating system for stormwater infrastructure grants and offering…
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May finished cool and dry in N.C.
 

May finished cool and dry in N.C.

North Carolina saw its 26th coolest May in the last 129 years, with the National Centers for Environmental Information reporting…
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A snapping turtle opens its eye wide. Christian Alessandro Perez photo
 

Up Moses Creek: Snapper, Part II

(Editor’s note: The first installment of this story was published in the May 10 issue of The Smoky Mountain News…
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Unanswered questions remain after the closing of Pactiv Evergreen's Canton mill.
 

Edwards rejects mill help

As questions continue to swirl over what Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson) did to prevent the loss of around 1,000 jobs…
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Kannapolis Mayor Darryl Hinnant speaks at a town hall held at Pisgah High School on June 1.
 

Building a better Canton

Uncertainty haunts Haywood County, and the future of small-town Western North Carolina’s economy, now that the closing of Pactiv Evergreen’s…
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A tough Roe to hoe: State and local Democrats are searching for a way back forward
 

A tough Roe to hoe: State and local Democrats are searching for a way back forward

In recent years, North Carolina Democrats have helplessly watched their numbers plummet amid a string of crushing defeats that have…
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Council passes mixed drink referendum, tables cannabis legalization
 

Council passes mixed drink referendum, tables cannabis legalization

Cherokee voters may have the chance to approve legalized marijuana use for adults and by-the-glass mixed drinks at establishments off…
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A billboard along U.S. 441 heading into Cherokee encourages voters to support the proposed constitution. Holly Kays photo
 

Council delays decision on alternate constitution referendum

In a narrowly divided vote Thursday, June 1, the Cherokee Tribal Council delayed deciding on a resolution seeking to upend…
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According to the ACC, hospitals that have proven exceptional competency in treating patients who require cardiac catheterization have standardized their assessment process for patients before undergoing catheterization to ensure quality and patient safety.
 

HRMC receives catheterization lab accreditation

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC) with its Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation with…
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We can, and should, stop the bloodshed
 

We can, and should, stop the bloodshed

To the Editor: Letter-writer Dave Waldrop (SMN, May 25 edition) asked: “What is the cost of mass murder?”  The next…
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Tyrants of all stripes are dangerous
 

Tyrants of all stripes are dangerous

Donald Trump is a paradigm of vices who deserved both of his impeachments and deserves indictment — which may happen…
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Embracing summertime
 

Embracing summertime

According to the calendar, summertime is still a couple weeks away, but with morning birds singing and the sun brightly…
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Young park visitors examine a  Storybook Trail sign. NPS photo
 

Bilingual books on display along Smokies, Gatlinburg trails

Through Aug. 31, three Storybook Trail of the Smokies displays featuring pages in English and Spanish will be open in…
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Volunteers will help with projects on the Ramsey Cascades and Little Cataloochee trails. NPS photo
 

Help rehab beloved Smokies trail

Volunteers are needed to help trail crews in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park rehabilitate the Ramsey Cascades and Little…
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Allen Hurlbert. Donated photo
 

Zahner lecture series kicks off in Highlands

The Highlands Biological Foundation will kick off its annual Zahner Conservation Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15, with…
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Max Patch work earns national partnership award
 

Max Patch work earns national partnership award

The Carolina Mountain Club and U.S. Forest Service received the 2023 Public Lands Partner Award, honoring “exemplary partnership” and “stunning…
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A sweeping view spreads from an observation tower along the Benton MacKaye Trail. Rob Burgess photo
 

Bill seeks National Scenic Trail status for Benton MacKaye Trail

A bipartisan bill seeking to designate the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail has been introduced into the…
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Earthquakes rattle Canton area
 

Earthquakes rattle Canton area

An earthquake that shook the Canton area during the early morning hours of Sunday, June 4, was the largest in…
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Carolina Mountain Club volunteers work on a trail along Big Laurel Creek near Hot Springs during a June 4 workday. CMC photo
 

Celebrating a century

Book details Carolina Mountain Club’s 100-year history 
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A pipevine leaf bears the telltale bite marks of the pipevine swallowtail caterpillar.  Adam Bigelow photo
 

Notes from a plant nerd: Put that in your pipe, but don’t smoke it

Plants and butterflies have a long history of evolution and interconnected relationships. Plants serve as food for caterpillars who eat…
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